Mischa Leinkauf and Matthias Wermke told the New York Times they were behind the stunt to celebrate “the beauty of public space.”

The pair planned to replace the flags on July 22 because that was the day the bridge’s engineer John Roebling died in 1869, the Times reported.

The NYPD released a statement on the artists’ claims.

“The NYPD is aware of the public statements made by the German Artists, Mishcha Leinkauf and Matthias Wermke in regard to the Brooklyn Bridge flag case,” NYPD Deputy Commissioner Stephen Davis said in the statement. “The investigation is continuing.”

Police told CBS 2 they would like to talk to the artists, but they are believed to be back in Germany.